Orioles, Tommy Hunter agree to one-year, $1.82M deal

The Orioles have agreed to contract terms with right-hander Tommy Hunter on a one-year, $1.82 million deal.

Hunter, 26, pitched in 33 games (20 starts for the Orioles), going 7-8 with a 5.45 ERA. He was more effective as a reliever, winning all three of his decisions while pitching to a 3.71 ERA.

This was the first year of arbitration for Hunter, who made $493,500 in 2012.

According to an industry source, the Orioles are also close to a deal with left-hander Brian Matusz, though it is not official.

Matusz, 25, was 6-10 with a 4.87 ERA in 34 games (16 starts) for the Orioles in 2012. He, too, was switched to the bullpen and he excelled in the role. In 18 regular-season games as a reliever, Matusz was 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings.

Matusz qualified as a Super 2 player -- meaning he will have four years of arbitration. As part of the major-league deal he signed in 2008, Matusz made $1.35 million in 2012.

If settlements aren’t reached by Friday, the sides will submit arbitration figures; if settlements aren’t reached by the time of scheduled hearings (usually in February or early March), an independent arbiter will select one number or the other.